"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT KNOWING GOD'S WILL FOR LIFE"
Rom 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
Rom 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer to our God:
1. This part of Romans, begins the application part. The first 11 chapters have been explaining to us what God has done for us in saving us by His grace through faith, it's called, "Justification" Now Paul begins to explain what the believer is to do. And, as we you can see from the 2 Scriptures above, it's a call to being right in God's will for your life. What Paul does here, is to explain what the process is for a Christian to be in God's will for their lives.
2. Right off the bat, here's what we are told. Rom 12:1a "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept" This is not a command, but rather a plea, Paul is actually begging the Christians in Rome to give themselves to God as living sacrifices.
One of the truths about the will of God, is that it's up to us to move toward God, and we are promised that He will move toward us, and we will experience His will in our lives. But, the first thing that we must do, is to "place ourselves at His disposal"
3. Paul helps us understand what it means to give ourselves to God when he says in Rom 12:1b "Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" He is saying that in the giving of our bodies to the Lord, we are actually to let them be "living and holy sacrifices" And, please note, "the kind he will accept" In other words, God has saved you, and now God will accept you, as you give yourself to Him. Isn't that wonderful and encouraging.
Paul asks this one question about our giving ourselves to God in Rom 12:1c "When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" How would you answer that.? Of course not. He has saved You by sending Jesus to die on the cross for your sins, and now, He is asking if it's too much to give yourself to God.
It's really your reasonable service. It's the only logical thing to do in light of what He has done for us.
4. Now, here's the last but, very important truth about a Christian knowing the will of God.
Rom 12:2 "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is."
There are a few things here.
(1) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world. Or don't let the world squeeze you into its mold.
(2) But let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Or "but be transformed by the renewing of your mind," Let God change your life, by the renewing of Your mind. That happens by letting Christ and His Word into your life, and taking Him, and His Word to heart. God will renew Your mind, and thus your life will be changed.
(3) Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. This is the result of giving yourself to God and letting Him renew your mind. You will know what God wants you to do. And, You will find out how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is for your life.
5. So, as you can see, God does have a will for your life. But, as you can also see, He calls you to make yourself available to Him, and in turn, He will bring you right into what is pleasing to Him for you, and that is His will for your life. But, you must act, you must yield Yourself to Him. And if you do, He promises to reveal Himself to you.
It cannot be said enough, but how important His Word is in all of this. Look again at what is said. Rom 12:2b "but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is."
God's Word and God's Will cannot be separated. They must be joined together by you. And, it's a simple act really. And, it's the most reasonable and logical thing to do. "Place Yourself at God's Disposal, and avoid letting the world around you mold You, but instead, let God renew your mind, and transform your life"
A prayer:
Father, You have saved us by Your mercy. You sent Jesus, and He died to pay for our sins. You called us to repentance, You gave us faith to believe, and we have become Your children. You have done it all for us. And, now You invite us into the most blessed life a person can have, and that is to walk in the will of a loving, and a wise God. Who knows better what is best for us? Us or You? Lord, it's You. And this day, we would like to act upon Your Word, and place ourselves at Your disposal. And, thank You in advance for what You are going to do in our lives. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
